Emancipation Park Conservancy (EPC) and Lucille’s 1913 are collaborating to feed Houstonians in need, as EPC celebrates 149 years of hosting Houston’s annual Juneteenth celebration. The organizations will supply meals for 2,000 Houstonians and the event is made possible by Lucille’s 1913, H-E-B, Coca-Cola, Reliant, Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz and the Houston Food Bank.

It’s open to the public, but registration is required: epconservancy.salsalabs.org/wearejuneteenthiscommunity.

This is the second collaboration between the two organizations, following a holiday meal distribution event in December of 2020 in which 1,135 families were served and 5,000 meals were provided.

A Juneteenth-Style meal distribution, offering signature foods to celebrate and pay homage will take place at Emancipation Park on the Juneteenth holiday. Since its inception, families of African descent have gathered on June 19th, over Bar-b-que, watermelon, and red soda to honor their ancestors and bond over southern traditions.

When: June 19, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Where: Emancipation Park

3018 Emancipation Ave, Houston, TX 77004

(on the side of the park facing Tuam Street)

A blending of the words June and nineteenth, Juneteenth is the oldest known US celebration of the end of slavery and commemorate June 19, 1865, the day that slaves were emancipated in Texas. The tradition of red drinks and fruit links the present to the past as kola nut tea and bissap (hibiscus tea) both originated in West Africa. They were bot imported to the United States during the slave trade and symbolize the resiliency of people of African descent.